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In 1948, with the world still reeling from the tremors
of World War II, the United Nations dispatched its first
“army of peace” to the strife-torn Middle
East. The goal of the small collection of United Nations
soldiers was to calm tensions by standing between the
warring parties. Almost 60 years later, the United Nations’
Blue Helmets are still working worldwide to keep the
peace.
BLUE HELMETS: The Story of United Nations Peacekeeping,
narrated by the Reverend Jesse Jackson, examines the
lofty aims and sometimes rocky history of this ambitious
endeavor. In addition to exploring the much debated
efforts of the Blue Helmets in the Middle East, the
90-minute program chronicles the role of the United
Nations peacekeepers in other significant historical
events: the chaos of the Congo, the hostilities between
Cyprus’ rival Greek and Turkish communities,
and the long struggle to achieve independence in Namibia,
Africa’s last colony.
Even those embroiled in a conflict “respect
someone who is there to help them,” says Canadian
Major Scotty Alexander, who served as a peacekeeper
in Cyprus. “They’re looking for a way
to get out of that ultimate decision of killing each
other.”
With restrictions on the use of their weapons, the
peacekeepers must rely on ingenuity to bring about
calm. Says Canadian colonel John Gardam, “All
you’ve got really is the kindness in your eyes
and the tone of your voice.” Sometimes that
just isn’t enough. In the course of pursing
peace, hundreds of Blue Helmets have lost their lives.
Their sacrifices, and successes, were finally acknowledged
in December 1988, when the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded
to the United Nations peacekeeping forces.
BLUE HELMETS includes rare archival and newsreel
footage, along with home movies taken by the peacekeepers
themselves. Throughout the program, former United
Nations Undersecretary-General Brain Urquhart offers
the unique perspective of one who has lived through
the evolution of peacekeeping. During a 41-year United
Nations career, the highly respected Urquhart was
involved in virtually every international crisis.
The Reverend Jesse Jackson’s interest in BLUE
HELMETS sprang from his active commitment to “support
and expand the rule of international law, fight for
human rights, and measure them by one yardstick.”
Pacific Street Films has produced numerous documentaries
about the United Nations, and its peacekeeping efforts,
including IN SEARCH OF PEACE, narrated by Paul Newman,
and broadcast by Turner Broadcasting on the 50th anniversary
of the international organization.
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